Airdrie celebrates Municipal Police Building grand opening
Hundreds of local residents, police and politicians gathered for the opening of the Airdrie Municipal Police Building on May 26.
The event included speeches by politicians and RCMP officers, a rappelling demonstration by members of the Southern Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, singing by members of the Rocky View Schools Youth Choir, tours of the 31,000-square foot building by the Airdrie Lions, cake, a colouring booth and other activities for kids. The event also featured visits with RCMP mascot Safety Bear, and police dogs, including the youngest member of the K-9 team, a six-month-old female pup named Essence.
“This is an important day and I thank everyone who attended today to mark this occasion,” said RCMP K Division Deputy Commissioner Dale McGowan.
“Today, we celebrate the close bonds between the RCMP and the public, bonds that I know will continue to grow.
“This impressive new building is a reflection of the incredible growth that has taken place in this community over recent years,” he added. “It is also a reflection of the ever-changing demands in today’s policing environment.”
“This building stands because the citizens of Airdrie have made public safety a priority.”
Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver agreed and said it is the cooperation of the public with RCMP and municipal enforcement services that helped make the project possible.
“Today is very symbolic of the desire of all of us to have and continue to have this safe community,” said McIver. “Without a safe community, in my view, there is no community at all.”
In addition to thanking citizens for attending and for their cooperation with police, Airdrie Deputy Mayor Murray Buchanan thanked officers for their hard work and dedication.
“We should not lose sight of the fact that these people bring this building to life,” said Buchanan. “This facility and our officers will allow our residents to continue to feel (safe) and have community safety for many years.”
Buchanan, McGowan, McIver and Airdrie MLA Rob Anderson performed a ceremonial cutting of police caution tape, officially marking the building’s opening.
The building, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Veterans Blvd. and East Lake Blvd. in Highland Industrial Park, will house operations of both Airdrie and rural RCMP and Airdrie municipal bylaw enforcement, as well as members of the Alberta Sheriffs department, traffic services and victim’s services.
For more information, visit www.airdrie.ca/rcmp
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